LA Galaxy win 1-0 in Super Clasico over Chivas USA

The Los Angeles Galaxy won the Super Clasico against Chivas USA 1-0. Gyassi Zardes scored the lone goal of the match just before halftime.

Omar Gonzalez made his return to the starting lineup after starting and playing the full 90 minutes in all the World Cup qualifying games for the U.S. International team. Marcelo Sarvas also started the match to create the Brazilian union with Juninho in the Galaxy midfield.

Carlo Cudicini showed why he is best man to start between the sticks in the 20th minute when he stopped a screamer by Chivas USA’s Jose Manuel Rivera.

Galaxy rookie Zardes gave LA the their first shot attempt for the Galaxy in the 25th minute when he received a pass from Robbie Rogers, took a perfect first touch into the box, but his shot sailed over the cross bar, keeping the game level at zero.

Drama in the 33rd minute as a low cross back to the top of the box by Landon Donovan found a sprinting Rogers who placed the ball with finesse to the back of the net, but the sideline official deemed Robbie Keane’s offside position obstructed Chivas’ goalkeeper Dan Kennedy’s view of the shot.

In the 36th minute, a shot by Juninho was intercepted by Zardes who’s shot hit off the woodwork, back into play.

The Galaxy finally broke the scoreless draw in the 44th minute as Landon Donovan found Zardes with a cross from a set piece about 28-yards from goal. This was the third set piece of the game that the Galaxy looked for Zardes, this time with the ball perfectly placed and headed home.

L.A. had another chance just at the start of the second half. A cross from Juninho reached Gonzalez in the box, who nodded it to Zardes, but his attempt on goal would go off the post once again and out of play.

Zardes’ production continues as the 21-year-old would get yet another shot on goal yet in the 72nd minute that required Kennedy to intervene.

Chivas USA would go on to create several chances in the 2nd half, but all of their attempts were off frame, sailing over the cross or into the side netting.

The final whistle blew three minutes after stoppage to with the scoreboard reading 1-0 in favor for L.A.

This is the first win the Galaxy have had in over a month and only their second time scoring in the last 6 matches. This match also marked the second game in a row in which Cudicini has recorded a shutout.

The Galaxy will face the San Jose Earthquakes in the California Classic on Saturday, June 29.

Eldrick Bone

Eldrick Bone was born and raised in Los Angeles and has devoted his professional life to revolve around sports. A journalism graduate of California State University, Northridge, Eldrick served as a sports writer, reporter and anchor for the school’s broadcast news program, Valley View News. He was previously the host of the sports radio show, In the Sports Booth on SkidRow studios.